Man Dies In Firework Explosion

JOHNSBURG (STMW) — A Johnsburg man was killed when a large firework he lit exploded in his face and chest at a New Year’s Eve gathering at his northwest suburban home.

Robert Freund, 31, of 4918 Country Oaks Drive, died of multiple injuries from a fireworks explosion, according to McHenry County Deputy Coroner Robert Locke.

Freund lit a large firework at a New Year’s Eve gathering at his home, causing injuries to his face and chest, Locke said. Police and fire crews were called to the home at 12:02 a.m. and Freund was pronounced dead at 12:07 a.m., he said.

The Cook County Bomb Squad was called to secure the area.

Locke said Cook County was called because McHenry County does not have its own bomb squad.

“We had to call them out there to make sure it was secure,” Locke said. “There were some pretty big fireworks.”

No one else was injured in the explosion and authorities beleive Freund bought the fireworks himself. They do not anticipate anyone else to be charged for possessing the fireworks, Locke said.

Although the preliminary cause of death showed he died of multiple injuries, a standard toxicological test will be taken with the results available in the coming weeks, Locke said.